These rugs are seriously trendy RN — here's where you can get the look

Comfort + style = our fave combo

@farasarchive living room with armchair, sofa, checkered rug and acrylic side tables, glass coffee table and bookshelf
(Image credit: @farasarchive)

TBT to when checkered Vans were the shoes of the year. Well, this pattern is back, but this time in the form of a checkered rug. In fact, it's starting to dominate homes in quite a few areas. I've seen everything from checkered bath towels to throw blankets, and even lampshades all over my feeds recently. I mean, it's a smart way to incorporate some pattern (and texture) into your space.

Though plenty of decor items are receiving the checkered treatment, it's rugs I've noticed the most when scrolling. Shaggy, colorful, tasseled, you name it, it's on trend right now. So here's your sign to bring your bedroom, living room, or kitchen into the year 2023, and buy a rug like the ones I've handpicked below. I'm tempted to buy one of these rugs for my entryway to pull all my decor together and replace my current rug that's a little dated.

@ohsorented

♬ Glue Song - beabadoobee

What to look for when buying a rug?

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Size
It goes without saying, but you will want to double-check (or even triple-check) that the new rug you are buying fits inside your space. You never want to buy a rug that's too big as it will drown out a room. Rugs that are too small may make your furniture look bizarre in comparison.

Material
This is completely down to your preference, but the most popular rugs are usually constructed of 100% wool. This is for both your comfort and the durability of the rug. Otherwise, rugs are also made of polypropylene, which is a cheaper wool-like alternative. You could opt for a jute rug as well, which is incredibly hard-wearing and perfect for dealing with lots of footfall (say in a hallway). 

It would be smart to consider where your rug will live when choosing a material. Go for something washable or with a low pile if you have pets or children and if it's going to live in a busy room. For an area like your home office or bedroom, you can opt for something a little more delicate since a rug placed inside one of these rooms won't be around food and drink as much. Nor will it be stood on hundreds of times a day.

Backing
Check to see if your new rug has an anti-slip backing. If not, you can buy a thin underlay to roll out underneath your rug to ensure that it sticks to your floor. Otherwise, your rug could become a safety hazard and it might slip and slide around your room. This will also keep your new rug right where it is supposed to be without relying on your furniture to maintain its place.

Cleaning
Thanks to the likes of Ruggable and Boutique Rugs, you can now buy machine-washable rugs for your home. These come with a cushioned underlayer to allow the rug to be thin enough to be squeezed into your machine. Otherwise, you might need to invest in a decent upholstery cleaner — or take it to a dry cleaner to make it look brand new.

Annie Collyer
Head Ecommerce Editor

Hi! I'm Annie, and I'm the Head Ecommerce Editor at Real Homes. I've been part of the Real Homes team since 2018, when I joined as Deals Editor. Along with covering major sales events — from Black Friday to Amazon Prime Day — I review home must-haves so that you can buy with peace of mind. Mostly focusing on home fragrance and sleep, as well as a few vacuum cleaners, I've tested pretty much every item you can think of that you need in your home. I live on the outskirts of the city in a two-bed apartment with my husband and my pug, Doug. So I am always searching for compact alternatives and ways to save floor space. What about when I am not typing away? Well, you'll find me enjoying an iced coffee (no matter the season) and trying out the latest brunch spots the city has to offer, or booking my next holiday. Where else can you find my words? Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Ideal Home, Gardeningetc, and Woman & Home.

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